Rabbi Balkany Endorses Guliani for Mayor of NYC

In the following short speech Rabbi Milton Balkany praises Rudolph Guliani, Republican candidate for mayor of New York City. We also learn the derivation of the word candidate, coming from the word white in Latin, as a reference to the white toga worn by all those aspiring for political office in ancient Rome.

"We gather together today to support Rudolph Guliani, the candidate from our party for the office of mayor of New York City.
The word candidate is derived from the word “candidus”, meaning white, and referring to the white robes or toga which roman office-seekers were obliged to wear for one year before the elections.
Rudolph Guliani wore the mantle of integrity, honesty, sincerity, obligation, courage and service for many years. We now pray for his success to adorn the office of mayor of our great metropolis with these great traits."

Milton Balkany Praises George Bush

In the following invocation Rabbi Milton Balkany blesses and praises President George Bush. Rabbi Balkany describes the presidency as the most important office not only in the United States, but even the entire free world.

"With hearts and hands and voices let us give thanks for all our many blessings. First we give thanks that we are a free people living under G-d in a land filled with bounty and equal opportunity for all who strive. For these blessings of liberty, peace and plenty, we give thanks to our heavenly father.

We pray on behalf of our President, George Bush and his family. He is a man of sagacity and love, prudence and gentleness and a demonstrated nobleness.

The American Presidency is not only the most important office in our country, but it is surely the most important leadership position in the free world. President Bush is the model of American ideals and power, as well as the symbol of a way of life.

President Bush has shown that although we may tinker with economic international associations and social programs, we will get nowhere until we experience a moral revolution reaching into every area of our national life; touching the springs of private thinking.

It is a reformation that must start with the moral greatness of our nation. But our nation depends on the ethical dedication of its people.

A new age began when the first man-made satellite orbited around the earth. It was the beginning of the space-age, which we are still in. But there is a more important concern, the conquest of our inner-space, which, just like the conquest of outer space, calls for our utmost discipline and persistent purpose.

We pray for the well-being of our beloved president. Wrap Your healing hand around his finger and uphold him in all his endeavors."

Rabbi Milton Balkany emphasizes in the above invocation that it is necessary more than ever for people to uphold ethical and moral traits and behavior as the highest of all possible goals.